PCO Certified Organic Grassfed: Dairy

PCO Certified Organic Grassfed Is a Top Pick

In addition to being organic, a strong environmental label, this label requires that animals ate a pasture based, ruminant diet of only grass which provides better animal health (less gut disease) and nutrient quality in the final product. Animals were not confined to feedlots, and did not have daily drugs.

Requires Verification/Inspection

FoodPrint Label Criteria

Animal Feed Quality

Produced without industrial pesticides

Produced without synthetic fertilizer or sewage sludge fertilizers

All grass fed

Prohibits animal waste and byproduct

Restricts use of feed supplements

Prohibits GMOs

Drug Use

Antibiotics only for sick animals or prohibited

Prohibit hormones and other drugs to healthy animals

Environmental and Pasture Quality

Pasture management / rotational grazing plan required

Grown without synthetic or sewage sludge fertilizers

Grown without industrial pesticides

Biodiversity required in pasture

Soil health monitored/measured for improvement over time

Animal Welfare and Living Conditions

Prohibits feedlots

Prohibits long term confinement

Prohibits electric prods

Hygiene and manure management addressed

Pain relief for castration*

Prohibits dehorning

Taildocking prohibited

Standards for animal wellbeing in transport including maximum duration times

Welfare standards for slaughtering addressed

Pasture required throughout grazing/growing season

*Partial

Worker Welfare

Standards and protections for workers on farm

Standards and protections for workers in processing plants

Fair/living wages ensured

Health care insurance ensured

Food Label Glossary

For explanations of some of these technical terms, like “rotational grazing” or “sewage sludge fertilizers,” please visit our glossary.